PTSD may be risk factor for heart disease

CHICAGO, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers say veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Researchers at Greater Los Angeles Veterans Administration Medical Center found veterans with PTSD have double the risk of death for all causes than veterans without PTSD.

The researchers suggest greater calcium buildup in the arteries -- atherosclerosis -- may be the reason for the greater risk of death among those with PTSD. The researchers recommend veterans with PTSD receive early evaluation and aggressive treatment of cardiovascular risk factors.

"This study for the first time appears to point to the mechanism for the cardiovascular part of that excess mortality risk: accelerated atherosclerosis," Dr. Naser Ahmadi said in a statement. "Our trial is the first to make a direct association between PTSD and atherosclerotic coronary disease as measured by coronary artery calcification, a standard test that is commonly used in studies such as ours because it can be measured non-invasively."

PTSD, the researchers say, is a cluster of symptoms that can include emotional numbing, avoidance of certain situations, hyperarousal, sleep disruptions and impaired concentration.

The study findings are being presented in Chicago at the American Heart Association's scientific sessions.